Graphical method for modeling and estimating construction costs

ABSTRACT

A method and system for modeling rooms or chambers in a structure for intuitive and accurate estimation of process parameters (e.g., material and labor costs for performing the process) associated with the rooms. A graphical user interface to an estimation program enables an estimator to insert a model of a room and thereafter morph and mold the model to approximate the room undergoing estimation. The model is represented as a polyhedron having a plurality of planes that may be assigned attributes such as floors, walls and ceilings. During the morphing process, the modified and other affected planes of the polyhedron are continually revised to maintain the integrity of the closed volume represented by the polyhedron. Upon completion of the morphing process of the model, the model may be queried by the estimator for performing estimations of target processes with the assigned attributes of the various planes intelligently returning areas and other parameters associated with the estimation polyhedron employed as an approximation of the room or chamber undergoing estimation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. The Field of the Invention

This invention relates to construction estimation using a computer orsimilar processing device for graphically depicting the topology of thetarget structure. More particularly, this invention relates to modelingand estimating construction attributes such as requisite material andlabor using a graphical human interface for entering and modeling thetarget structure floor plan and related parameters.

2. Present State of the Art

The art of estimation has been performed for generations using basicaccounting techniques. For example, estimation for construction relatedtransactions such as building and remodeling have traditionally beenperformed through a manual process of partitioning such tasks into aseries of entities such as rooms and then generating a comprehensivelist of requirements for each of the rooms. For example, in estimatingthe remodeling of a kitchen, an estimator performs lineal measurementsto determine the quantity of items such as cabinets, sheetrock,studding, paint, etc. Generation of such a list requires the estimatorto physically perform liner measurements on each of the wall segmentsand further perform multiplicative operations to determine the squarefootage associated therewith.

While such a list-mode operation for estimating is reasonably simplisticfor rectangularly shaped cubical rooms, when rooms or chambers exhibitmore complex dimensions such as those associated with room offsets, baywindows, and missing wall segments, manual estimation becomesincreasingly more complex and subject to error resulting in either aninefficient allocation of resources or an imprecise estimation of theproposed task. Furthermore, computerized list-mode type estimatingproducts present a cumbersome interface through which a user must definethe target room or chamber undergoing estimation using cryptic andnon-intuitive definitions. That is to say, in such automated programs,the estimator must individually denote and add each entry, specifyingeach wall segment and relationships or angles between adjacent wallsegments. Such a wall-element-by-wall-element listing presents frequentopportunity for user error and, for complicated geometries such as thosehaving missing wall segments or other custom features, requires anestimator to utilize more sophisticated and cumbersome definitionalrules to result in an acceptably accurate estimation of the target roomor chamber. Such sophisticated dialogue with list-mode type estimationprograms present a non-trivial and non-intuitive learning curve forestimators.

Graphical-mode type estimation presents a more intuitive format throughwhich an estimator defines or describes a target room or chamberundergoing estimation. Graphical entry type estimators heretofore haveemployed a line-centric approach for defining a target room undergoingestimation. For example, an estimator defines a line segment designatinga specific wall followed by a subsequent line segment associated withthe prior line segment forming yet a second wall and continues such aprocess until a series of defined line segments represent the targetroom undergoing estimation. Problems arise in such a line-centricapproach in determining when a particular room undergoing estimationcomes into "existence." That is to say, when does a series of linesegments form a closure giving rise to an entity for estimation.Additional uncertainties arise when a particular room or chamberundergoing estimation is comprised of missing line segments such as inthe case of a first room "opening" into yet a second room. Furthermore,additional complications arise in associating other attributes to theaforedefined series of line segments. For example, associating avertical height dimension of the wall with the line segmentsrepresenting a linear horizontal dimension of the wall requires anestimator to perform additional definitional steps linking suchattributes together.

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art sketch of a line-centric approach fordefining a remodel area 10. As depicted in FIG. 1, remodel area 10 iscomprised of a first room 12 and a second room 28. Room 12 is comprisedof a series of line segments, line segments 14-26, forming first room 12and line segments 30-38 forming second room 28.

Prior implementations of graphical interface programs for estimatingchambers, such as rooms of structures, frequently employed shading(cross-hatching as shown in FIG. 1) or other designating techniques forpartitioning a group of interconnected line segments into separablechambers or rooms. Such a process requires additional steps by theestimator in first selecting the parameter of a closed body andthereafter further partitioning the closed body using shading or othertechniques for designating a yet smaller portion of the overall enclosedbody.

It should further be pointed out that prior art implementations ofgraphical estimators heretofore have only operated on a two-dimensionalrendition of a target chamber or room undergoing estimation. That is tosay the line-centric graphical 18 approach depicted in FIG. 1 onlydepicts attributes consistent with the present two-dimension viewgenerated by the estimator. This approach does not include otherattributes such as those consistent with the vertical walls associatedwith the line segments or a ceiling associated with the room undergoingestimation when the perceivable view, as depicted in FIG. 1, representsthe floor plan of the closed body undergoing estimation.

Therefore, significant problems exist in utilizing a nongraphical orlist-mode program for estimating specific parameters of a chamber orroom due to the non-intuitive nature of assembling the definition of aspecific chamber or room, and furthermore, such shortcomings areexacerbated when the chamber or room undergoing estimation assumesnon-cubical features or incorporates absent features such as missingwall segments as is characteristic of a first room opening into a secondroom. Additionally, graphical estimating programs heretofore have used aline-centric approach of concatenating a series of line segmentseventually closing to form a closed two-dimensional body forming asingle "entity" from which an estimation may be made. Additionally,graphical line-centric estimation programs have required additionalsteps by the estimator or user to specify and define portions of theclosed body as a separate calculable entity and have not facilitated theassumption of attributes nor have they provided an estimator with athree-dimensional definition of the room or chamber undergoingestimation.

For these and other reasons, it appears that there exists no presentmodeling or estimation technique providing both a graphical andintuitive interface for an estimator to define a chamber or roomundergoing estimation and derive attributes of the entire room, floors,ceilings and walls both existing and missing, directly from thedefinitional rendering of the target chamber or room. Furthermore, theredoes not currently exist a modeling technique for defining a room orchamber as a three-dimensional entity having attributes assigned to eachof the facets of the room thereby facilitating the estimation ofrequisite components such as material and labor associated with each ofthe facets of the room or chamber.

OBJECTS AND BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method formodeling a chamber to enable estimation of chamber attributes for eachof the facets or planes associated with the chamber undergoingestimation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method forhierarchically associating a first chamber having attributes for each ofthe facets or planes associated therewith, with a second chamber alsohaving a plurality of facets or planes associated therewith.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a methodfor graphically estimating attributes of a room through a user interfacecapable of intuitively sizing a graphical representation or model of theroom or chamber undergoing estimation to provide a graphicalapproximation of the chamber or room undergoing estimation andassociating attributes with the facets or planes of the model.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a graphicalmethod for estimating construction related material and laborrequirements for a room within a structure thereby enabling an estimatorto intuitively depict the room undergoing estimation and deriveattributes associated with the plurality of facets or planes associatedwith the room undergoing estimation and generate the requirementsassociated with the room undergoing estimation.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide acomputer-readable medium capable of performing the aforementionedobjects of the invention of modeling and facilitating the estimation ofa chamber or room having attributes assigned to each facet or planecomprising the chamber or room undergoing estimation and therefromderive estimation requirements for the modeled chamber or room.

The present invention embodies within its scope both methods and systemsfor modeling a chamber or room, such as a room in a structure, whereinthe chamber is comprised of a plurality of facets or planes formingfacets such as a floor, walls and a ceiling. The present inventionfurther embodies within its scope both a method and system forestimating, from the modeled chamber or room, requirements such asbuilding materials and associated labor for use in bidding or acquiringmaterials associated with the construction or remodeling of a structureembodying the modeled room or chamber.

In the present invention, a chamber or room is graphically modeled by anestimator utilizing an estimation program having a graphical interface.Estimators intuitively sketch or create an estimate for a structure bypartitioning a structure into entities (e.g., rooms or chambers) andassociating estimates relating to those entities thereto. Estimatorsintuitively perceive the room as a three-dimensional entity but haveheretofor been required to perform multiple steps to actually acquireuseful information from graphical sketches. In the present invention, anestimator selects a default entity from a graphical tool kit in theestimation program of the present invention and places the entity (e.g.,default room element) onto a grid for massaging and modifying until theentity assumes a sufficient approximation of the structure entity (e.g.,room) undergoing estimation.

The default entity utilized by the estimator for stretching andcontorting into the desired room-representative state is inherentlydefined by the estimation program to be a volumetric entity havingspatial definitions and attributes in all three dimensions, consistentwith the actual estimation characteristics of structures. In the presentinvention, the default entity is a polyhedron which, by definition, is aseries of planes forming a closed volume. Some of the more simplisticpolyhedrons are cubes and pyramids comprised respectively of six andfour or five planes, while more complex polyhedrons may be comprised ofdozens of planes or facets. In the present invention, an estimationpolyhedron is modified or morphed by an estimator until it adequatelymodels the room or chamber undergoing estimation. The morphing processthat the estimation polyhedron is subjected to, continuously revises andmaintains the integrity of the volumetric entity or polyhedron. That isto say, any planes or polygons affected by the stretching orintroduction of additional planes into the estimation polyhedron,triggers a recalculation of the attributes (e.g., surface area; andvertices) of the affected and new planes of the estimation polyhedron.

The present invention further enables an estimator to assign descriptiveattributes to various planes of the estimation polyhedron that introduceadditional checks and verifications by the estimation program. Forexample, in estimations of residential inhabitable structures, a flooror surface plane is common upon which individuals may stand. Byassigning to a plane of the estimation polyhedron the attribute of"floor," estimation requests by the estimator for the requisite amountof flooring required for the entity undergoing estimation yields thearea of the plane or polygon assigned the attributes of "floor."Likewise, a query for an estimate by the estimator of the amount ofconventional wallboard required to finish a room defined using the modelof the present invention, would yield the surface areas of the planes orpolygons of the polyhedron having the assigned attributes of "walls" and"ceiling."

Additional attributes stored by the polyhedron may include an updatedarea calculation for each of the polygons forming the planes that definethe estimation polyhedron, and may further include an accuratecalculation of the volume encompassed by the estimation polyhedron.Additional attributes may also include defining shared polygons betweenadjacent estimation polyhedrons to assume the attribute of a hidden wallthereby precluding the inclusion of the missing wall segment in thecalculations of estimates for material and labor associated therewith.

Once the estimator has sufficiently modified the estimation polyhedronto be adequately representative of the room undergoing estimation,estimation queries may be posed to the room model. For example, theestimator may request an estimate for painting the room or chamber. Thequery is placed to the model and the model extracts from the attributesof the model those planes requiring paint (e.g., walls and ceilings butrot floors) and the square footage associated therewith. The query maysimply return the number of square feet requiring the requested processor more sophisticated query requests may consult a material and serviceslist to determine a cost of labor for the corresponding amount of squarefootage and additionally, the amount and price of paint required toperform the process. Likewise, estimation of other materials andservices may be queried such as required flooring amounts and labor aswell as heating and cooling requirements for the volume enclosed by theestimation polyhedron.

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome more fully apparent from the following description and appendedclaims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forthhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the matter in which the above-recited and other advantagesand objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular descriptionof the invention briefly described above will be rendered by referenceto specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appendeddrawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typicalembodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered tobe limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explainedwith additional specificity and detail through the use of theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art line-centric approach for modeling a room orchamber to be estimated;

FIG. 2 depicts an estimation polyhedron undergoing a morphing process toapproximate the chamber or room undergoing estimation, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 depicts a three-dimensional view of an estimation polyhedronemployed to model the chamber or room undergoing estimation, inaccordance with the graphical method for modeling and estimating of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 depicts an exemplary polyhedron definition, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 depicts a two-dimensional view of a first estimation polyhedronand a second estimation polyhedron forming models for approximating afirst room and a second room undergoing estimation, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 depicts the merger of a first estimation polyhedron with a secondestimation polyhedron having a common missing wall therebetween, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts a data structure relationship diagram for hierarchicallyassociating a plurality of polygons into various grouped relationships,in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are flowcharts of a graphical estimation process, inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 depicts a query to the graphical model of the chamber or roomundergoing estimation for retrieving specific estimation requirementsfrom attributes associated with the model, in accordance with thepreferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention utilizes a different paradigm for facilitating themodeling of a chamber undergoing estimation. In the present invention,chambers or rooms undergoing graphical estimation are initially definedas a three-dimensional structure comprised of multiple facets or planesdefining the boundaries of the volume. Such a volume bounded by a seriesof planes is commonly known as a polyhedron. In the present invention,the graphical interface of the estimation program provides a defaultpolyhedron as a starting point for the modeling and estimation process.

FIG. 2 depicts a default polyhedron 40 for use as a graphical estimationstructure, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Default polyhedron 40 becomes an estimation polyhedron as itsfacets or planes are altered in various dimensions to become anacceptable approximation for modeling of the actual chamber or roomundergoing the estimation process. As graphical images are displayed inonly two dimensions, FIG. 2 depicts estimation polyhedron 40 from a topview with a surface plane 42 being the plane in view to the estimator.In FIG. 2, surface plane 42 may receive or have assigned theretoadditional attributes specifying additional qualities of surface plane42 such as defining surface plane 42 to be representative of the floorplane of the room undergoing estimation.

Surface plane 42, like all other planes forming estimation polyhedron40, may be represented in various manners characteristic of polygonrepresentation such as an enumeration of vertices defining surface plane42 or other polygon representations known by those of skill in the art.In order to enclose the polyhedron, planes in addition to surface plane42 are required. FIG. 2 depicts planes 44, 46, 48 and 50 as adjacentplanes to surface plane 42 for forming an encompassing perimeter aboutsurface plane 42. Planes 44, 46, 48 and 50 may be further individuallycomprised of additional attributes specifying a particular relationshipof such planes with surface plane 42. For example, planes 44, 46, 48 and50 may be defined with the attributes specifying them as walls adjacentto and about the floor plane as defined by surface plane 42. It shouldbe further pointed out that while not explicitly shown in FIG. 2, butbetter depicted in FIG. 3, a top plane which may also have the attributeof a ceiling is also provided to complete the enclosure and thereforethe definition of estimation polyhedron 40.

As the present invention provides a graphical interface for an estimatorto approximate or model a chamber or room undergoing estimation,estimation polyhedron 40 must be capable of being massaged and contortedto form an acceptable approximation of the chamber or room undergoingestimation. Such a graphical mutation or modification has commonlybecome known as morphing.

In the present example of FIG. 2, the room undergoing estimationexhibits an offset which the estimator desires to include within theestimation process. FIG. 2 depicts wall plane 48 as inadequatelyapproximating the room or chamber undergoing estimation therebyrequiring wall plane 48 to be further partitioned into additional planesor facets more closely approximating the room undergoing estimation.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the estimation program enables the estimator topartition wall plane 48 into a series of additional planes as depictedby planes 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60. Such planes replace the original plane48 and although they form a more complex polyhedron having additionalplanes, planes 52-60 form a more acceptable approximation of the roomundergoing estimation. In the graphical program of the presentinvention, the estimator may morph estimation polyhedron 40 by selectingwall plane 48 and graphically stretching or morphing an offset comprisedof the aforementioned planes in the direction as depicted in FIG. 2.

As previously mentioned, the graphical model of the room undergoingestimation is maintained in a three-dimensional polyhedron. Therefore,when wall plane 48 is partitioned into additional morphed facets orplanes, such a morphing also introduces changes in the definition ofsurface plane 42. To maintain the integrity of the three-dimensionalpolyhedron definition of the model of the room undergoing estimation,the morphed planes or facets must be included within the definition ofestimation polyhedron 40. The definition of exiting adjacent planes mustalso be revised and recalculated to include the additional attributessuch as the revised surface area resulting from the insertion of anoffset into the estimation polyhedron. It should also be appreciatedthat in addition to altering surface plane 42, such a morphing processalso affects the ceiling plane in a likewise manner. An estimator usingthe graphical method of the present invention may continue to morph ormold the estimation polyhedron until such a graphical model adequatelyapproximates the room or chamber undergoing estimation.

FIG. 3 depicts a three-dimensional view of estimation polyhedron 40following the morphing process wherein an offset or other morphedfeature has been inserted to better approximate the room undergoingestimation. In FIG. 3, it should be appreciated that each of the planescomprising estimation polyhedron 40 take on a planar surface profiledefinable by individual polygons. While the present example depicts thepolygons as having orthogonal relationships, nothing in the presentinvention prevents wall planes from having a taper or slope associatedtherewith when considered in relation to floor plane 42. Furthermore,nothing prevents ceiling plane 62 from exhibiting a vaulted profile inrelation to floor plane 42.

It should also be pointed out that while the definition of estimationpolyhedron 40 includes a specific recitation of surface plane or floorplane 42, wall planes 44-60 and ceiling plane 62, estimation polyhedron40 may also be minimally defined by wall planes 44-60 with surface plane42 and ceiling plane 62 being implied from the definitions of wallplanes 44-60 and are necessary for completing or enclosing the volume ofestimation polyhedron 40. Furthermore, it should be further pointed outthat while surface or floor plane 42 is depicted as a single plane,surface areas may also include multiple definitions of floor planes suchas in the case of a sunken area in more elaborate room structures.Likewise, ceiling plane 62 may be partitioned into multiple ceilingplanes to further define more elaborate ceiling structures such asvaulted or sloped-ceiling configurations.

FIG. 4 depicts a simplified definition of a polyhedron defining a firstroom, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Asdescribed above, an estimation polyhedron is comprised of a plurality ofpolygons forming an enclosed volume consistent with the modelingstructure of the present invention. In the present example, each polygonis defined as a series of vertices with a minimum number of threevertices necessary for defining a plane or polygon. Vertices may bedefined as a series of three-dimensional or Cartesian coordinates in theX, Y and Z planes, as in the case of the preferred embodiment, or mayassume other dimensioning techniques known by those of skill in the artincluding the use of other coordinate definitions or polygonrepresentations.

As described above, polygons also may be assigned specific attributes orother information calculated in real time or post-calculated. Suchattributes or information may include specifying a particular polygon toassume the characteristics of a surface polygon thereby implying thedesignated polygon be displayed graphically to the estimator,functional/locational attributes such as floor, wall and ceilingdefinitions. Additional attributes or qualities assigned to the polygonsmay further include thicknesses of walls and other display andcalculation attributes such as specifying a particular polygon or wallas being a missing wall for purposes of calculation and display. Yetfurther estimation attributes may be included which specify the surfacearea associated with a particular polygon and corresponding dimensioningand the appropriate unit definition such as, for example, specifying thesurface area of wall surfaces to be specified as square footage whilefloor surface areas may be specified in square yards.

While the present example of FIG. 4 specifies a room as being a seriesof grouped polygons, a plurality of rooms may be defined as a pool ofpolygons forming the planes associated with various rooms and linkedtogether or specified as being shared or assigned to a specific roomentity.

FIG. 4 further depicts a first room and its definition as being able tobe encompassed with an additional hierarchical definitions. For example,in FIG. 4 the defined room may also form a portion of a level such as afirst floor and be further included within a multi-level definition orstructure such as a specific form or structure definition. Suchhierarchical relationships are further discussed below in relation toFIG. 7.

FIG. 5 depicts adjacent placement of a plurality of rooms, in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the graphical estimation program of thepresent invention. The present estimation program facilitates thecombining of a plurality of estimation polyhedrons for the formation ofa hierarchical or larger structure comprised of multiple models of roomsor chambers undergoing estimation. A first estimation polyhedron 40 isdepicted and graphically presented with a view of surface plane 42consistent with the description of FIG. 2. Additionally, a secondestimation polyhedron 70 may be selected and placed adjacent to firstestimation polyhedron 40 to comprise either adjacent rooms undergoingestimation or to accommodate the estimator in developing a largerchamber comprised of yet smaller chambers to improve the estimationprocess through such a graphical representation.

Second estimation polyhedron 70 is comprised of a plurality of planesthereby closing a volume to form a polyhedron. The planes or facetsassociated with second estimation polyhedron 70 form the polygons fordefining second estimation polyhedron 70, with both plane 72 having theattribute of a surface plane, and adjacent wall planes being comprisedof planes 74 through 88. While second estimation Polyhedron 70 isdepicted as being distant from first estimation polyhedron 40, such adepiction is merely illustrative to highlight that estimationpolyhedrons 40 and 70 are distinct modeled entities. Furthermore, whenthe grouping of planes to form a polyhedron is performed by linkingpolygons from a pool of polygons to form an estimation polyhedron, thecommon polygon may be singlely defined and multiply linked to aplurality of polyhedron definitions.

FIG. 6 depicts the contiguous placement of first estimation polyhedron40 and second estimation polyhedron 70. Furthermore, plane 50 of firstestimation polyhedron 40 is depicted as being identical to thedefinition of plane 76 of second estimation polyhedron 70. Whiledefinitions of the individual rooms may include the redundant definitionof the shared polygon, the preferred embodiment defines a polygon havingthe descriptive vertices of the shared polygon and links the sharedpolygon to the definition of both first estimation polyhedron 40 andsecond estimation polyhedron 70.

The graphical estimation program of the present invention furtheraccommodates inclusion of attributes for particular planes consistentwith physical structures and estimator preferences. For example, it iscommon in many structures for a room or chamber to have a missing orpartially open wall that enters into a second room or chamber asdepicted in FIG. 6. For accurate estimation purposes, it is necessary todesignate or assign attributes to such planes or facets to preclude anoverestimation of the required materials or labor in an estimate of therooms of a structure. Additional attributes or characteristics may alsobe defined for planes of the estimation polyhedron. For example, aplane, and therefore a polygon, may be assigned the attribute forming awall portion of the polyhedron and also be given a wall thicknessattribute or wall composition attribute to facilitate both accuratedimensioning and estimation of the target chamber or room. Likewise, aplane may be given the attribute of a "missing wall" thereby precludingthe inclusion of such a plane in the estimation calculations.

FIG. 7 depicts a room data structure relationship diagram, in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In the presentfigure, a sketch document 90 provides a "container" for the sublevelstructures and other estimation-specific information. Structures 92 and94 are each comprised of levels, levels 96 and 98 for stricture 92,which correspond to real-world structures such as buildings. Levels 96and 98 may commonly be considered as "floor plans" such that aparticular level corresponds with an individual floor of a structure. Inthe preferred embodiment of the graphical estimation program, each levelhas an elevation associated therewith and each level contains rooms,walls and vertices.

The estimation polyhedrons as heretofore described are hierarchicallydepicted as rooms 100 and 102. That is to say, a room is athree-dimensional polyhedron with boundaries defined by surface polygon112 formed by floor polygon 108, ceiling polygon 110 and wall polygons104. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein thechamber or room undergoing estimation takes the form of a traditionalstructural configuration, wall 104 forms a vertical boundary for a room.In the preferred embodiment, wall 104 is represented by a center lineand a thickness that are then used to calculate the actual surfacepolygons and intersection points. Wall 104 is defined as having twosurfaces that may either face into a room and an exterior or the twosurfaces may face into two rooms.

A vertex 106, in the preferred embodiment, is placed at each point wherewall planes intersect. Each vertex is defined by being touched orintersected by at least two walls. As briefly described above, surfacepolygon 112 forms the visible or graphically-presented parts of the wallplanes, ceiling planes and floor planes. Surface polygon 112 iscalculated by the intersection of adjacent planes. Likewise, floor plane108 is the surface polygon of the floor defined by the walls of a room.Additionally, ceiling 110, in the preferred embodiment, is also definedby the walls of the room. It should be pointed out that while thepresent figure depicts the chamber undergoing estimation as being aconventional inhabitable structure such as a building, nothing preventsthe definition or attributes assigned to the polyhedron from takingother forms allowing less conventional "rooms" or chambers from beingestimated. For example, structures that do not have conventional"floor", "ceiling" and "walls" nomenclature, may also be estimated usingthe graphical estimation method and program of the present invention.

FIG. 8 depicts a method for modeling and graphically estimatingattributes of a room, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention. A graphical estimation process 200 models a room orchamber undergoing estimation by facilitating the morphing of apolyhedron to adequately approximate the room undergoing estimation andthereafter generates an estimation from the modeled room in response toa query for specific estimate information.

A step 202 enables a user to select a default polyhedron for use as anestimation polyhedron during the estimation process. Such a selectionmay include a first room opening into a second room. Additionally,graphical estimating programs heretofore have incorporated line-centricapproaches of concatenating a series of line segments eventually closingto form a closed two-dimensional body forming a single perspective fromwhich an estimation may be made. In the present invention, selection ofthe default polyhedron may be performed by an estimator using a tool kitor other graphical interface allowing the selection and physicalplacement of a default polyhedron. Such a selection and placementprocess may further allow an estimator to roughly size the defaultpolyhedron by stretching or dragging displayed parameters of the surfacepolygon of the polyhedron.

It should be further stressed that the selected default polyhedronprovides a volumetric model for use in the modeling and estimationprocess. The selection of a default polyhedron may also be customizedthrough the use of predefined preferences designating standarddimensions consistent with the scale frequently used by the estimator.For example, an estimator may utilize the present invention in providingestimation of residential structures. In such an example, a traditionalselected default polyhedron may be defined as having dimensionsconsistent with a typical bedroom having a room size of roughly 12 feetby 12 feet and a ceiling height of 8 feet.

A step 204 assigns attributes to each polygon of the estimationpolyhedron which may occur simultaneous with the selection of thedefault polyhedron in step 202. For example, an estimator frequentlyutilizing the present invention to estimate residential structures, maydefault the surface polygon to assume the attribute of a floor and mayfurther default adjacent polygons to assume attributes of walls havingthicknesses representative of 2 by 4 construction. In another example,step 204 allows the estimator to select specific polygons or planes andassign thereto attributes such as interior wall, exterior wall, or otherrelated structural attributes.

A query task 206 determines whether the estimation polyhedronsufficiently approximates the room undergoing estimation. When theestimation polyhedron has not been sufficiently morphed to adequatelyapproximate the chamber or room undergoing estimation, a task 208enables an estimator to graphically stretch and contort (i.e., morph)the estimation polygon in various dimensions to better approximate theroom undergoing estimation.

A query task 210 determines if such morphing results in the inclusion ofadditional polygons within the definition of the polyhedron as opposedto mere changes in dimensioning of existing polygons. When such morphingrises to the level of introducing additional polygons or planes into thepolyhedron definition, a step 212 inserts or alternatively partitions aselected facet or polygon definition into the estimation polyhedrondefinition. Such morphing is graphically depicted and responsive to theselection of the estimator.

A step 214 revises the estimation attributes of any selected andmodified or additional polygons as well as adjacent polygons to themorphed or selected polygon as well as and other polygons affected bythe morphing process. That is to say, vertices and other descriptors ofthe modified polygon are updated and stored including attributes such asthe surface area associated with affected polygons which are alsoupdated consistent with the new dimensions resulting from the morphingprocess. Processing then returns to query task 206 for a determinationas to the adequacy of the morphed polyhedron and whether it is anadequate approximation of the room undergoing estimation. The estimatoriteratively continues to morph and modify the estimation polyhedronuntil such time as the polyhedron adequately models or approximates theroom undergoing estimation.

Processing then passes to a step 216 wherein an estimator may query themodel to obtain specific quantity information such as required materialand labor estimates. Exemplary queries may include an estimation of thesquare footage of selected walls, estimated square yardage of requiredcarpet for polygons having floor attributes, drywall material and laborestimates for wall and ceiling, painting and cleaning estimates, as wellas other room specific information such as the total volume of the roomundergoing estimation.

In a step 218, the estimation program of the present invention retrievesthe corresponding estimation attribute from the estimation polyhedronmodel. Such estimations are then correlated in a step 220 to computefrom the attribute retrieved from the estimation polyhedron model withthe specific quantity of material or labor as requested by theestimator. A step 222 lists the estimation responsive to the query ofstep 216 to the estimator for evaluation.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary listing responsive to a query for estimatedparameters, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 9, a listing responsive to a query for the amount ofdrywall material and labor required for both the walls and ceilings isdepicted. Such a query lists the type of material, half-inch drywall,and further specifies what the estimation includes. For example, theestimation for half-inch drywall includes hanging, taping, floating, andpreparing the drywall for taping for 528 square feet as requested forboth walls and ceilings at a price of $0.83 per square foot, totalling$438.24. Likewise, a query for the amount of carpet required for theplane or polygon having the attribute of the floor, results in a listingof required material and labor specifying the surface area of the floorarea and is responsive to a selection by the estimator of a carpet gradeand price.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms withoutdeparting from its spirit or essential characteristics. The describedembodiments are to be considered in all respect only as illustrative andnot restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated bythe appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency )f theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by United States LettersPatent is:
 1. A method for computerized modeling of a chamber to enableautomatic computerized estimation of chamber attributes, comprising thesteps of:(a) selecting a default polyhedron as a cost estimationpolyhedron, said estimation polyhedron having a plurality of facets witheach facet having at least one characteristic and comprised of at leastone estimation attribute including an area; (b) altering at least one ofsaid characteristics of a selected facet of said plurality of facets ofsaid estimation polyhedron to approximate said chamber undergoingestimation; (c) revising in real time said at least one estimationattribute of said altered facet and adjacent ones of said plurality offacets of said estimation polyhedron as modified by said altering step;and (d) repeating said altering and revising steps until said estimationpolyhedron accurately depicts said chamber undergoing estimation.
 2. Themethod as recited in claim 1, wherein:(a) said altering step furthercomprises the step of when additional facets better approximate saidchamber undergoing approximation, partitioning said selected facet ofsaid estimation polyhedron into at least a first and second alteredfacets to provide an improved estimation of said chamber undergoingestimation; and (b) said revising step further comprises the step offrom said at least first and second altered facets of said selectedfacet, including additional estimation attributes corresponding to saidfirst and second altered facets.
 3. The method as recited in claim 1,further comprising the step of:(a) defining said chamber as a roomwithin a building; and (b) defining said chamber attributes to include asurface area correlating to said plurality of facets of said estimationpolyhedron.
 4. The method as recited in claim 3, wherein said definingsaid chamber attribute step further comprises the steps of:(a) assigningone of said plurality of facets of said estimation polyhedron a floorattribute of said room; (b) assigning each of others of said pluralityof facets of said estimation polyhedron adjacent to said facet havingsaid floor attribute a wall attribute; and (c) assigning one of saidplurality of facets of said estimation polyhedron adjacent to said onesof said plurality of facets having said wall attribute a ceilingattribute.
 5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein said selecting adefault polyhedron further comprises the step of:(a) defining saiddefault polyhedron to include:i. at least 4 facets each defined by aplurality of vertices shared by others of said at least 4 facets; ii. asurface area for each of said at least 4 facets; and iii. a volume ofsaid default polyhedron as bounded by each of said at least 4 facets. 6.A method for graphically estimating attributes of a room, comprising thesteps of:(a) selecting a default polyhedron as a cost estimationpolyhedron to approximate said attributes of said room, said estimationpolyhedron having a plurality of facets, each facet having at least onecharacteristic and comprised of at least one estimation attributeincluding an area; (b) altering at least one characteristic of one ofsaid plurality of facets of said estimation polyhedron to approximatesaid room undergoing estimation; (c) revising in real time said at leastone estimation attribute of said altered facet and adjacent facets ofsaid estimation polyhedron; (d) repeating said altering and revisingsteps until said estimation polyhedron accurately depicts said roomundergoing estimation; and a. listing said estimation attributes of saidestimation polyhedron as said attributes of said room.
 7. The method asrecited in claim 6, wherein said selecting step further comprises thesteps of:(a) assigning one of said plurality of facets of saidestimation polyhedron a floor attribute of said room; (b) assigning eachof others of said plurality of facets of said estimation polyhedronadjacent to said facet having said floor attribute a wall attribute; and(c) assigning one of said plurality of facets of said estimationpolyhedron adjacent to said ones of said plurality of facets having saidwall attribute a ceiling attribute.
 8. The method as recited in claim 6,wherein:(a) said altering step further comprises the step of whenadditional facets better approximate said chamber undergoingapproximation, partitioning said selected facet of said estimationpolyhedron into at least a first and second altered facets to provide animproved estimation of said chamber undergoing estimation; and (b) saidrevising step further comprises the step of from said at least first andsecond altered facets of said selected facet, including additionalestimation attributes corresponding to said first and second morphedfacets.
 9. The method as recited in claim 6, further comprising thesteps of hierarchically grouping additional rooms into levels andgrouping a plurality of levels into a structure.
 10. A graphical methodfor estimating material requirements for a room within a structure,wherein said room is comprised of a plurality of planes, comprising:(a)displaying a default surface polygon, said surface polygon forming oneplane of a plurality of planes of an estimation polyhedron forapproximating said room, said plurality of planes each further having acharacteristic and an estimation attribute assigned thereto; (b)altering said characteristic of said default surface polygon into analtered polygon to approximate a plane of said room undergoingestimation; (c) revising said estimation attribute of said alteredpolygon and adjacent ones of said plurality of planes affected by saidaltering step; (d) repeating said altering and revising steps until saidestimation polyhedron accurately approximates said room undergoingestimation; and (e) converting said estimation attributes of saidestimation polyhedron into said material requirements for said roomwithin said structure.
 11. The method as recited in claim 10,wherein:(a) said altering step further comprising the step of whenadditional planes better approximate said room undergoing estimation,partitioning said altered polygon of said estimation polyhedron into atleast a first and second altered polygons to provide an improvedestimation of said room undergoing estimation; and (b) said revisingstep further comprises the step of from said at least first and secondaltered polygons of said selected facet, including additional estimationattributes corresponding to said first and second altered polygons. 12.The method as recited in claim 11, wherein said converting saidestimation attributes of said estimation polyhedron step comprises thestep of:(a) converting said estimation attribute into a quantity of aspecific one of said material requirements.
 13. The method as recited inclaim 11, further comprising the steps of:(a) redefining another one ofsaid plurality of planes of said estimation polyhedron as said defaultsurface polygon to display said polygon, alter characteristics andrevise estimation attributes associated therewith.
 14. The method asrecited in claim 10, wherein said displaying step further comprises thesteps of:(a) assigning one of said plurality of planes of saidestimation polyhedron a floor attribute of said room; (b) assigning eachof others of said plurality of planes of said estimation polyhedronadjacent to said plane having said floor attribute a wall attribute; and(c) assigning one of said plurality of planes of said estimationpolyhedron adjacent to said ones of said plurality of planes having saidwall attribute a ceiling attribute.
 15. A computer-readable mediumhaving computer-executable instructions for performing the stepscomprising:(a) displaying a default surface polygon, said surfacepolygon forming one plane of a plurality of planes of an estimationpolyhedron for approximating said room, said plurality of planes eachfurther having an estimation attribute assigned thereto; (b) alteringsaid default surface polygon into an altered polygon to approximate aplane of said room undergoing estimation; (c) revising said estimationattribute of said altered polygon and adjacent ones of said plurality ofplanes affected by said altering step; (d) repeating said altering andrevising steps until said estimation polyhedron accurately approximatessaid room undergoing estimation; and (e) converting said estimationattributes of said estimation polyhedron into said material requirementsfor said room within said structure.
 16. The computer-readable medium ofclaim 15 having further computer-executable instructions for performingthe steps of:(a) said altering step further comprises the step of whenadditional planes better approximate said room undergoing estimation,partitioning said altered polygon of said estimation polyhedron into atleast a first and second altered polygons to provide an improvedestimation of said room undergoing estimation; and (b) said revisingstep further comprises the step of from said at least first and secondaltered polygons of said selected facet, including additional estimationattributes corresponding to said first and second altered polygons. 17.The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein saidcomputer-executable instructions for performing the step of convertingsaid estimation attributes of said estimation polyhedron step furthercomprises computer-executable instructions for performing the stepof:(a) converting said estimation attribute into a quantity of aspecific one of said material requirements.
 18. The computer-readablemedium of claim 15, having a further compeer-executable instructions forperforming the steps of:(a) redefining another one of said plurality ofplanes of said estimation polyhedron as said default surface polygon todisplay, alter and revise estimation attributes associated therewith.19. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein saidcomputer-executable instructions for performing the step of displaying adefault surface polygon further comprises computer-executableinstructions for performing the step of:(a) assigning one of saidplurality of planes of said estimation polyhedron a floor attribute ofsaid room; (b) assigning each of others of said plurality of planes ofsaid estimation polyhedron adjacent to said plane having said floorattribute a wall attribute; and (c) assigning one of said plurality ofplanes of said estimation polyhedron adjacent to said ones of saidplurality of planes having said wall attribute a ceiling attribute. 20.The computer-readable medium of claim 15, having furthercomputer-executable instructions for performing the step ofhierarchically grouping additional rooms into levels and grouping aplurality of levels into a structure.